The Role of Mentorship in Leadership Development
Mentorship is a tool often used for executive development. And if you’re in a senior leadership role, mentoring someone may just feel like the next step - or something you’re supposed to do because of your title. But mentorship isn’t just for the person you are helping. The best mentor / mentee relationships are two-way, and the time you invest in this relationship can also enhance your career and refine your leadership skills. We’ve each had mentors throughout our careers who provided invaluable support, guidance, and perspective.
Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
It’s important to recognize from the start that the best mentoring relationships go both ways. Of course, you’re looking to learn from your mentor, but don’t forget that they can learn from you, too! Think about what you bring to the table. Sharing your perspective can build the relationship and create a dynamic exchange of ideas. Amanda Schnieders says it best in her article titled What are the Benefits of Mentoring Programs?: “Mentoring programs can lead to improved personal and professional lives for both mentors and mentees, making them a valuable investment for individuals and organizations.” We think that sums it up pretty nicely!
The Many Hats of a Mentor
Mentors can wear many hats, and each role plays a crucial part in your development. Here are a few of the key roles they might take on:
Coach
Advocate
Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Truth Teller
Connector
Each of these roles contributes to the mentoring experience, helping you develop not just as a leader but also as a person. Consider your ask of your mentor: do you want this person to be a sounding board? To provide an alternative point of view based on his/her experience? To connect you to people in their network? Be clear on your objectives, and solicit support from your mentor.
Have a Game Plan
Mentorship isn’t just about grabbing coffee and having a casual chat. While those informal conversations can be nice, having a well-thought-out plan is best. Set clear goals for what you want to achieve in your time together. Each working session can be so much more valuable if you come prepared with topics to discuss, problems to unravel, or questions to ask. Consider it a mini-strategy session! Speaking of game plans, we often get asked for a resource guide to mentoring. And…we believe in not recreating the wheel! So if you want a good, basic guide to mentorship, you can check a sample out here.
Benefits, Benefits, & More Benefits
Clearly, the benefits of the mentor-mentee relationship are significant on both sides. The University of California, Davis breaks it down like this:
Benefits for the Mentee
Get guidance and support from a respected leader
Confidence booster
Find new ways of approaching work
Build a network of colleagues and expand knowledge of different areas
Have a safe space to share both ideas and challenges
Benefits for the Mentor
Feel fulfilled by helping others grow
Expand your network and build a sense of community
Develop important skills while growing personally
Opportunity to rethink your normal way of doing things
Paying It Forward
Once you’ve had a mentor of your own and learned from their insights, why not pay it forward and give someone else the same opportunity you had? Being a mentor to someone else can be far more rewarding than you may even realize (as we’ve highlighted above). It’s a great way to give back to your community. Not comfortable serving as a mentor at work? What about at a local school, or partnering with a non-profit? We guarantee your knowledge and insight is valuable!
Leadership Development Coaching
Mentorship is a powerful tool for leadership development. If you’re considering starting a mentoring relationship, remember it’s all about collaboration, preparation, and connection. Whether you're a mentor or a mentee, these relationships will help you grow personally and professionally.
If you’re ready to refine your personal and professional journey, we would love to work with you at Nova Leadership!